Any Tips on Rio Arriba County, N.M.

[ByeBye]

Hey y'all, seems like my rig build is FINALLY coming to a point where it'll soon be time for me to head out to Northern New Mexico in the Rio Arriba County area. I'll be exploring the area scouting for an acreage of off grid wilderness property. 
As this is my first real off grid excursion for any length of time I'm trying to be proactive in having the best experience I can have. I plan to do some test runs on the rig before I get secluded to work out any major bugs of the build.

I was wondering if anyone has had enough experience in that area to help a newbie out...not necessarily camping spots, but those would be welcome to, but just things that stuck out to you and that you wished you'd known about before you went.

I know I'll be checking into Heron Lake State Park and have bought a Benchmark N.M. atlas.

I'm not worried about having everything worked out/planned, that's part of the adventure, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Marcus

 

[MrNoodly]

It's a beautiful area. A great place to mellow out. The drive along US-84 and US-64 are particularly nice just after sunrise and just before sunset. NM-96 is cool too.

Bode's General Merchandise in Abiquiu has great burritos, among other things. The Georgia O'Keefe museum is also there, if you're into art.

Heron Reservoir was very low when I was there a few years ago. The regular campsites at the state park were small, crowded and rarely level, so we paid extra for a roomy electrical site.

 

[ByeBye]

Thanks, MrNoodly! Exactly kind of info I had hoped for.

 

[MrNoodly]

Of course, "beautiful" and "great burritos" are matter of personal preference.

 

[Southwest]

As a New Mexico resident for like 15 years ,most of my knowledge is central and southern NM .Although always heard good things about Chama .
Be sure to check out the https://cumbrestoltec.com/

 

[ByeBye]

Shameless bump
Anyone else got any input that they'd be willing to offer on this part of NM??

 

[tx2sturgis]

Camped right here with a few friends last year, in the Carson National Forest in that pasture area, along Forest Road 5:

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4378175,-105.3474497,2208m/data=!3m1!1e3

It's either in that county or close to it.

Nice, high elevation spot, cool nights. mild days in midsummer when we were there. We did most of our grocery shopping at Lowes Market in Angel Fire.

 

[ByeBye]

@tx2sturgis
Thanx!! Initially I'd be center around Heron Lake but I put this spot on my list. Much appreciated

 

[bigsallysmom]

I agree the view on 84 is awesome. Thirty miles east as the crow flies of Tres Piedras is Red River. Right now nights in the mid 40s. Days in the 70s. There seems to be an art to not making many places to boondock in those mountains. Nearby national and state campgrounds stay full all summer. I fly fish in town. Northwest corner of county ends at Navajo Lake. Below the dam is premiere fly fishing. Greater World Earthship community is on 64 northwest of Taos. Might give you some construction ideas. I was going to live across the road from that wonderful wild looking place but I hear the Taos hum. Sounds like an 18 wheeler is idling.

 

[txmnjim]

96 to Cuba from Abiquiu Reservoir was a nice drive. went on to Chaco Canyon, which
i recommend if you've never been. i pretty much love all of NM but Silver City is where
i want to end up some day...

 

[tamewolf]

I have spent years in NM, particularly in the state parks, and some time working in Chama. It can be wonderful exploring around in the three seasons. I think the most important thing to know about northern NM is that you need to bring exact change for pretty much everything. I bring in lots of ones, fives, tens and some twenties. Also coins. I also stock up on ordinary supplies. You are going to settle there, but for many years to come you are a tourist.
Do not neglect to eat New Mexico cuisine at every opportunity. It is some of the most delicious food you will ever have. You will be in a prime spot for it.

 

[MrNoodly]

...went on to Chaco Canyon, which i recommend if you've never been....

Be forewarned the last several miles of road into Chaco from US-550 can be absolutely awful. Washboard, potholes, ruts. Take it nice and slow.

 

[ByeBye]

@tamewolf
Thank you, very much. I assumed it would be a culture wary of outsiders, thanks for confirming that. I also had in mind to stock up on supples but I wouldn't have thought of taking lots of change. Gracias

Look forward to sampling the local cuisine

 

[Headache]

If I read that right make sure you educate yourself on the land scam areas which are mostly west and south of Taos. There are more(like down around Belen) but there are pockets in other areas.

Unless you want a scrap of land that code enforcement will ignore but if New Mexico ever "fixes" the issue it's possible some will lose their homes. Rio Rancho turned into a legit town:

https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/06/business/rio-rancho-s-tangled-legacy.html

but Carson Estates near where you're interested in is still up in the air. Just FYI.

 

[txmnjim]

Be forewarned the last several miles of road into Chaco from US-550 can be absolutely awful. Washboard, potholes, ruts. Take it nice and slow.

i forgot about that but i was hoping the road might have been improved
since 25 years ago

 

[ByeBye]

Be forewarned the last several miles of road into Chaco from US-550 can be absolutely awful. Washboard, potholes, ruts. Take it nice and slow.

Thanks, I go pretty slow everywhere I go in the rig. Won't be hard to adjust. 

@Headache, thank you for the heads up but all the bases are covered on the legal part. 
My focus right now is 1. working the bugs out of my rig rebuild and 2. getting the lay of the land and local residents. 3. Finding camping spots for the next 2-3 months.

I did get a NM State Park annual pass

 

[MrNoodly]

i forgot about that but i was hoping the road might have been improved
since 25 years ago

In 2017:

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